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Some companies that deal in firearms might surprise you — and their investors

Some investors want to know whether they are putting their money into a portfolio that includes companies that sell guns and ammunition.

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Remington is one of the brands carried by Vista Outdoor, one of several companies that don't have obvious ties to the firearms industry.
Remington is one of the brands carried by Vista Outdoor, one of several companies that don't have obvious ties to the firearms industry.
Brian Blanco/Getty Images

Shares of publicly traded firearm companies often rise after tragedies like this week’s mass shooting at an elementary school west of San Antonio with the assumption gun sales may go up on fears of increased gun regulation. This week, Smith & Wesson and Sturm Ruger both saw their stocks rise in the wake of Tuesday’s shooting. But there are also some lesser-known public companies that operate in the gun market.

It’s not always obvious whether a company is involved in the gun industry.

Take National Presto Industries, a publicly traded company that sells slow cookers, air fryers … and ammunition. Or Vista Outdoor, its brands include Bell bike helmets, Camelbak hydration packs and … Remington.

“They’ve got the Remington shotgun shells, the long guns,” said Burt Flickinger at Strategic Resource Group.

Thing is, there are investors who want to know what companies are involved in selling guns and related equipment.

Andrew Behar runs As You Sow, a nonprofit that promotes corporate responsibility.

“They’re included in mutual funds, and in people’s 401(k) plans, and most people are not even aware of that,” he said.

Behar’s company runs a website called Weapon Free Funds that helps people look up whether they’re invested in the gun industry.

“Which looks at both military weapons, but also civilian weapons. Including assault weapons and ammunition,” he said.

The goal, he said, is to let people know if their investments are in line with their values.

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